WITH HELEN J. CATALBAS
SUSTAINABILITY should be the centerpiece of tourism destinations in the world. Otherwise, what was will be again!
We are particularly looking at tourism destinations and attractions that in the past were closed to tourism and underwent massive rehabilitation so they became attractive to tourists again.
Once more the business sector is raking in millions in local and international currencies. On the part of national and local governments, expectedly, they are also raking in revenues due to the influx of tourists.
Jobs are available again for the locals, fellow countrymen and expats. In short, everybody is happy.
The policies on sustainable tourism promulgated by international bodies like the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) should be supported by member nations through parallel legislation and policies issued by national tourism authorities/ organizations.
In turn, local government units should have laws, rules and regulations to ensure tourism sustainability aligned with national and international policies on sustainable tourism.
The goal of sustainable tourism is to balance impacts of tourism to the environment, cultural diversity, tourist activities and business practices, among others. It attempts to minimize the impacts of tourism on the environment and local culture.
The positive impacts of tourism should be maximized while negative impacts minimized.
If destinations and their respective managers do not heed this call, with all certainty we can say, what was will be again!/PN
